Palanpur: A police sub-inspector (PSI) posted at Radhanpur police station allegedly attempted to abduct a 22-year-old woman at gunpoint from the police quarters in the Gadh police lines in Banaskantha district on Thursday night.The accused, identified as Pravin Mori, allegedly threatened to kill the woman, dragged her towards a dark area behind the quarters, and caused injuries to her before being caught by locals.Mori was taken to the police station, but he escaped from there. Later, Mori was suspended.Gadh police have registered a case against Mori under Sections 109(1) (attempt to murder), 87 (kidnapping or abduction of a woman to compel her marriage), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation involving threats of serious harm) of BNS.According to the complaint, the incident occurred when the woman’s brother, sister-in-law and niece had gone out to play garba on Thursday night. At around 10pm, someone knocked on the door. Assuming that her family members had returned, the woman opened it.Mori, a resident of Ajapura Mota village in Amirgadh taluka, allegedly pointed a pistol at her and ordered her to accompany him, threatening to kill her if she refused. He then allegedly grabbed her arm and dragged her towards a dark area behind the quarters, causing injuries to her elbow, legs and other parts of her body.The woman managed to free herself and ran back inside the quarters, but Mori allegedly followed her into the house. Hearing her screams, her brother and other people rushed to the spot, caught the PSI along with the pistol and took him to the police station. However, he subsequently escaped from police custody.Gadh police registered a case and launched a search for the absconding officer.“The woman further alleged that Mori had earlier established physical relations with her against her wishes after promising to marry her. According to her complaint, in June, he had allegedly confined her in police quarters in Radhanpur and sexually assaulted her. She said she had submitted a written complaint to Amirgadh police regarding the incident,” said police.The woman subsequently moved in with her brother because she feared Mori. She alleged that the PSI later tracked her down and attempted to abduct her at gunpoint.Gadh police inspector K M Vasava said three police teams had been formed to trace Mori, with teams sent towards Radhanpur and his native village of Ajapura. The pistol recovered when he was apprehended was found to be government-issued, he said.
